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96Dermot Keogh24 July. Biggar also learned later from his sources, however, that the Irish applicationwas unlikely to get a sympathetic hearing at that meeting. 68Dr O'Sullivan had a full account of the meeting of 12 July from a senior diplomatof the Netherlands Mission. He was told that when the Dutch head of missionhad approached the chairman of the Permanent Representatives, Signor Venturini,he discovered that the Ireland case was not on the agenda. The item was thenincluded on the insistence of the Dutch representative. At the meeting, Venturiniprefaced the opening of the discussion on the Irish case somewhat along the followinglines: “Have we not some doubts about the Irish on economic and politicalgrounds – they are not members of NATO.” The Netherlands representative said theIrish application had reached the Council before that of the Danes and that of theNorwegians. The French permanent representative read from a prepared note andtook the line that because of Ireland's economic dependence on the British market,there would be little point in proceeding with consideration of the Irish applicationuntil the situation in regard to the British negotiations was a good deal clearer thanat present. He also mentioned the existence of some doubts in his delegation aboutIreland's capacity to meet the full economic obligations of the Rome Treaty. [TheFrench at one stage suggested that the Irish case be referred back to the Commissionfor more detailed study.] On the whole, the French delegate felt that it wouldbe better to postpone discussion on the Irish case until after the summer recess.That suggestion was supported by the chairman who said that the Six had not yetreached agreement in regard to neutral countries.The German delegate said that while Bonn was fully satisfied that Irelandshould be treated as a serious candidate under article 237, he would not object tothe postponement of consideration of the Irish case until the autumn if that was thewish of the majority. The Netherlands representative again intervened to urge that itwas unrealistic to delay consideration of the Irish case because of her economicdependence on the British market. 69 With no real consensus at the meeting of theheads of the Permanent Representation, Ambassador Biggar reported to IveaghHouse following the 24 July Council meeting on his interview with the President ofthe Council, Colombo. The Ambassador was told bluntly that the Council had notime to go into the Irish case in detail. They had instructed the permanent representativesto continue their study of the case and to report in the middle of Septemberwith a view to the consideration of the matter at an early meeting of the Council.Colombo added that that was in no sense an unfavourable reflection on the Irishcase. 70Ambassador Biggar, attempting to convey the difficulties which procrastinationwould have for domestic political opinion, said that the Council's failure to give adecision would be a great disappointment to the Irish government and could wellhave a disturbing effect on public opinion. He pointed out that the Irish applicationhad been made a year ago and stressed the difference in the status of the Irish appli-68. See Biggar reports for July, D/T, S17246L/62, NAI.69. O'Sullivan to Cremin, 18 July 1962, D/T, S17246L/62, NAI.70. Biggar to Cremin, 25 July 1962, D/T, S17246L/62, NAI.
The Diplomacy of ‘dignified calm’ 97cation as compared with those of Denmark and Norway. Colombo said that heunderstood the Irish position perfectly and that everyone was full of sympathy forDublin but the view of the Council remained that the application had not yet beenfully examined. He said that it was impossible for the Council to reconsider thematter before the summer. Biggar, attempting to salvage something from the situation,sought a reassurance that there was no fundamental objection to the application.Colombo, while not being able to speak for the Council, felt himself that thatwas the position. 71Lemass and senior officials met to review the situation. The matter was discussedin cabinet on 31 July 1962. There was consensus, both at cabinet and seniorofficial level, that action had to be taken to remove the doubts which lingered in theCommission and in the capitals of the Six regarding the political objections to theIrish application. It was decided immediately to seek an opportunity for Lemass tomeet Hallstein. 72 Biggar, asked to make an appointment, reported on 14 Augustthat Hallstein's office had phoned stating that he was unable to accept an invitationto dine on 15 September at the embassy because he would not be in Brussels. TheTaoiseach called Cremin to see him on 16 August and Lemass wondered whetherthere would be any reasonable pretext for his [the Taoiseach] being in Strasbourg atthe same time as Hallstein who was attending a meeting of the Council of Europe.Cremin explained that it would be possible for him to attend, if invited to do so, butthat no invitation had been received. It would be necessary for the Taoiseach if hewere to be present, to speak. Lemass replied that a speech could be “rather risky”.He also opposed the idea of sending a letter to Hallstein. Lemass, however, felt thatsomething could be achieved by Biggar going to see Hallstein and giving him anaide memoire covering the points involved. Cremin expressed the view that thatwould be a possible compromise solution. 73Biggar's opinion was sought on the proposal. He argued by return on 22 August1962 that the submission of an aide memoire might have “unfavourable consequences”.That idea was temporarily shelved when another avenue of communicatingthe Irish position presented itself in early September 1962. 74 At the invitation ofthe Irish Council of the European Movement, fifteen leading continental journalistsarrived in Dublin to be briefed on the Irish application and to write about thechanges in society and politics. This initiative was undertaken with the full andactive cooperation of the Irish government. Arriving on 3 September, they weregiven wide access to government and to senior civil servants. 75 They attended apress conference given by Lemass on 5 September. Given the detailed nature of thereplies, it is probable that the questions were submitted in advance. The Taoiseachused the opportunity to provide the most frank answers to the substantive questionswhich had preoccupied, if that is not too strong a term, senior EEC officials and71. Biggar to Cremin, 25 July 1962, D/T, S17246L/62, NAI.72. See correspondence for August, D/T,S17246N/62, NAI.73. Cremin/Lemass meeting, 16 September 1962, D/T,S17246N/62, NAI.74. D/T, S17246N/62, NAI.75. The Irish Press, 4 September 1962.
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